Facts About Diabetes That Could Save Your Life

Type 2 Diabetes is Preventable

While Type 2 Diabetes is a manageable disease, it’s also an extremely preventable one. Yet in 2012, 1.7 MILLION new diagnoses. Approximately 9.3% of the U.S. population has diabetes. Untreated, diabetes can destroy the kidneys and can damage the retina, causing blindness. Over time an abnormally high blood sugar level can reduce circulation to the limbs, and can ultimately lead to amputations. Recent research also links type 2 diabetes to a higher risk of dementia. Those with diabetes also may have up to four times the risk of developing heart disease.

What can you do to prevent or delay diabetes?

Genes Determine Some But Not All of Your Potential Risk

One of the hallmarks of type 2 diabetes is insulin resistance. Insulin is the hormone that assists with the breakdown of glucose, or blood sugar. Resistance to insulin makes the body less responsive to this important breakdown of blood sugar. Researchers have identified approximately 45 genes linked to type 2 diabetes. Insulin resistance, obesity and poor glucose control run in families, so if any close relatives have the disease, you are at greater risk. Studies show that men are more likely to develop type 2 than women.

Not Everyone With Type 2 Diabetes is Overweight or Obese

It’s a dangerous myth that type 2 diabetes is exclusive to those who are overweight or obese. An unhealthy Body Mass Index, or BMI, does raise the risk of developing the disease. Excess of body fat can lead to insulin resistance, which may then progress to type 2 diabetes. That being said, about 20 percent of all obese people don’t show any signs of the disease. And about 15% of the people diagnosed with the disease are of normal weight. While being obese or overweight is a great reason to be tested, being thin is no excuse for ignoring the fact you may be at risk.

Classic Heart Disease Risk Factors Also Raise The Risk

Three common risk factors for cardiovascular disease are all closely related with type 2 diabetes. They are elevated triglycerides, high blood pressure and abnormal cholesterol levels. Being overweight and sedentary increases the odds of both type 2 and heart disease. New evidence suggests that diabetes may cause a low-level inflammation in the lining of blood vessels that lead to damage that increases the risk of heart disease. Furthermore, people with compromised blood vessels who have diabetes may be more susceptible to damage from high blood pressure and cholesterol build-up. The basic fact here is that if you have risk factors for heart disease, then you’re at greater risk for diabetes.

You’ve Got To Move It, Move It

Glucose is one of the body’s main fuels. If you’re not active, glucose levels in the blood can rise and cause damage throughout the body. That’s where exercise is key. Aerobic exercises, bike riding or even brisk walking causes skeletal muscles to contract and use circulating glucose. Repeated exercise actually trains muscles to better respond to insulin, which converts glucose to energy. The more intense the activity, the bigger the improvement of insulin sensitivity. The best goal is to be doing at least 30 minutes of activity all or most days.

If You Don’t Know How To Cook…LEARN!

There are more cooking shows on TV these days than any other kind of genre. It’s not hard to cook something healthy that is incredibly tasty. The point is to stay away from process foods which often contain added sugar and salt. Balance your meals with unprocessed grains, nuts, seeds, beans and generous helpings of fruits and vegetables.

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